I received the electronic hootchies. As advertised but the hardware (hooks, swivel, snap rings, etc) seems pretty "fresh waterish". I replaced one, and will see what happens with the other lighter as sold models if I can entice something to hit it.

Tried one this AM drifting then trolling with a Lurs Jensen Deep Diver around 0330-0400. Looked great, but no strikes. I'll set up a bottom jig rig next time.January is a reall poor season here.

Dan,
Yep, I have one of the TALS chest packs, but I have to confess that I have yet to use it. I got it mainly for wade-fishing out of my Outback, but once I get out on the water, it seems that I don't want to come back in! But it is a very nice, reasonably priced, and handy piece of gear. Still plan to give it a go one of these days.

I have different stands of bamboo so can get some different diameter pieces. I was figuring a better way than a plastic tube would be a piece of bamboo in which the lure slid in.

Both ends would be notched. Then I could insert lure and wrap prestrung leader around tube using notches. If it ends up half way use a small rubber band to keep it from unwrapping. Or maye just tuck it around what you have wrapped already.

Would this damage mono leader? Seems like it would be OK for wire anyway.

Then when you unwind the leader your ready to clip the rig to your mainline swivel snap.

I'm also figuring on when you land the fish. Remove the lure and immediately insert it in tube (How to secure in tube quickly?)

Then you can go play with the fish, bleed as required, take photos, etc, but you don't have any hooks around in case of a death tail slap, etc.

Don't know if this is really necessary thou. But it seems to beat letting the lure dangle off the end of the rod. Do you guys hook it to the reel or someplace?